Hyundai Motorsport has teased an image of its next-generation Hyundai i20-based WRC car undergoing preliminary testing in Germany ahead of a 2016 debut.

HYUNDAI ISN’T WASTING any time. While the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) is still running, Hyundai has already begun testing a prototype of its next WRC car based off the all-new Hyundai i20.

Even before the vehicle was shown at the Paris Motor Show in early October, Hyundai had French driver Bryan Bouffier carry out the very first shakedown of the car on a private testing ground in Germany last month. The aim, Hyundai said, was to collect data and check all systems ahead of full development tests.

Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan said, “It’s always an important moment when you take a car to the road for the first time and this one was no exception. We have been working on the development of our future WRC car for some time now and we were finally able to put the first prototype on its wheels last month.

“The data and experience that we have accumulated during our debut WRC season has contributed to our approach with this new car. We will introduce it in competition when we are absolutely sure that it is ready to replace the current Hyundai i20 WRC – we’re not in a rush. It’s a totally different car compared to the current WRC model; the platform is different, the car is longer, lower and wider and it features a new engine, transmission and other components. Of course we are just at the beginning of a long process and we will continue to work hard on development and continue testing in the next months and throughout 2015.”